Agawa Canyon

Agawa Canyon from the lookout 300 steps above the tracks.

One of the most popular excursions from Sault Ste Marie is the trip along the Algoma Central rail line north to the Agawa Canyon. Tours in the fall are especially popular, and must be booked months in advance. (Fall prices are, of course, higher.)

Agawa Canyon with one of several waterfalls.

The train left the downtown terminal in Sault Ste Marie promptly at 8:00AM. Our train arrived in the canyon at 11:45AM, which left 105 minutes for lunch and sightseeing. Many passengers stayed in the canyon to wait for the regular daily Algoma Central passenger train to take them further north. And so when the train left on its southbound trip (promptly at 1:30PM), there were many more empty seats on the train. We returned to the Soo in the rain about 5:15PM.

Agawa Canyon.

Which side of the train has the best views? There are good views on both sides. The east side (right side on the north-bound leg) has perhaps better views of wilderness lakes, as well as the better view of the dam on the Montreal River. But the other side has the better view as the train descends into the canyon. Try to switch seats for the return trip to get the views on both sides.